Ji Li said to Lu Yuan, "If you can’t beat him, I’ll help you. I’ve been annoyed with this insect for a long time."
"Then I’ll kill you first!"
Chen Long struck at Ji Li with his palm.
Si Snake, who was between the two of them, caught Chen Long’s wrist: "Don’t fight in front of me."
Chen Long said indifferently, "You can join in as well."
Yu Zichuan, with lightning speed, jabbed Shangguan Ling with the large bow.
Shangguan Ling, in pain, kicked Yu Zichuan off the carriage.
Mr. Zimu was dumbfounded as he watched the group in the carriage dismantling everything within less than a quarter of an hour.
Are you... sure you’re all on the same side?
The news of Mr. Zimu entering the palace quickly reached Consort Hu’s quarters.
You can’t keep the paper from catching fire; moreover, Lu Yuan intended to spread the false news that he was the True Qilin.
Thus, Consort Hu soon heard about the Qilin omen from Mr. Zimu.
She slapped the table, rising in anger, "Absolute nonsense! First, they snatched my grandson, and now, with the truth revealed and seeing the Crown Prince’s position at risk, they’ve set their sights on the Qilin Life Chart! Lu Zhaoyan, I misjudged you before! You are the truly ambitious one!"
"All these years, I’ve been guarding against the wrong person!"
"Prepare the sedan, I must see Your Majesty!"
Consort Hu, seething with anger, went to the Imperial Study Room.
As she entered, she immediately burst into tears, "Your Majesty—"
Emperor Liang held his forehead with a headache.
Eunuch Yu had just gone to fetch food for Treasure Piggy, and in the blink of an eye, Consort Hu had entered the Imperial Study Room.
He sensed something was wrong, saying to Xiao Dazi, "Why didn’t you stop her?"
Frightened, Xiao Dazi said, "I didn’t dare..."
Eunuch Yu patted his head, "Make sure to stop her next time!"
Xiao Dazi quickly said, "Yes, godfather!"
"Your Majesty! I have such a bitter fate—"
Consort Hu drew out a handkerchief, crying her heart out, "Back when Your Majesty campaigned south... my brother..."
Eunuch Yu took a deep breath.
Consort Hu had two brothers, the younger died saving His Majesty, and the elder is now the Great General.
Consort Hu was acquainted with Emperor Liang since childhood, a childhood sweetheart relationship.
She also bore the emperor his eldest son; her status is self-evident.
It’s no wonder Xiao Dazi didn’t dare stop her.
Consort Hu began by painfully reminiscing about the past, recounting her hardships through the years of accompanying Emperor Liang, and then she reached the blunder of her grandson being claimed by the Crown Prince Mansion.
"I don’t know how much longer I can accompany Your Majesty... I can’t bear to see you deceived by villains, Qi’er is your eldest grandson, he is the Guardian Qilin, and this adviser who appeared from nowhere dares question the State Preceptor’s omen, Your Majesty! This person harbors sinister intentions and must not be trusted!"
Emperor Liang sighed, "Where did you hear all this?"
Consort Hu said aggrievedly, "It’s spread throughout the harem."
Emperor Liang frowned, "Did you spread it?"
Consort Hu immediately said, "It wasn’t me this time!"
Emperor Liang looked at her, "So, last time, it was you who spread the rumor that Qi’er was Prince Jin’s child?"
Consort Hu was at a loss for words.
"I’m getting old and need a rest. I’ll take my leave."
Consort Hu left, feeling disgruntled.
Emperor Liang stood in the Imperial Study Room, gazing at the scenery outside the window. Listening to the milky little voices of Treasure Piggy, as if making some decision, he said, "Summon the State Preceptor."
Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.
Xiao Rong’er was arranging Gongsun Yanming’s clothes: "I’ve altered the sleeves; do they fit?"
Gongsun Yanming responded with a faint "hmm."
Xiao Rong’er tied his belt, looking at him through the copper mirror: "On Liuying’s wedding day, let’s decide on this outfit."
Gongsun Yanming said, "You decide."
Xiao Rong’er’s eyes shifted slightly as she continued tying his belt, "The items we sent to the Crown Prince Mansion have been retrieved. Should we send them to Jin Prince Mansion, or make new ones to send?"
Gongsun Yanming said, "The wedding is only postponed by half a month; making new ones might not be timely. Just send them over."
Xiao Rong’er was silent, observing her husband’s apparent indifference towards their daughter’s wedding.
Gongsun Yu strode into the room.
Xiao Rong’er quickly withdrew her hands.
Gongsun Yu, startled, said somewhat awkwardly, "Sister-in-law is here, too. I was too rash."
Gongsun Yanming asked, "What’s the matter?"
Gongsun Yu glanced at Xiao Rong’er and said to Gongsun Yanming, "Brother, something big has happened. The Mr. Zimu, who was invited to the Crown Prince Mansion before, has entered the palace this morning. He told His Majesty that Prince Jian is a fake Qilin, and the Crown Prince’s son is the True Qilin, urging His Majesty to set things right quickly, or else the national fate will be shaken!"
Xiao Rong’er’s face changed slightly: "What? Such a thing?"
A touch of authority flashed in Gongsun Yanming’s eyes.
Gongsun Yu urgently asked, "Brother, what should we do?"